Casting off the Deadweight

The system reported to its superiors about changing Thea's target.

The weight in Thea's chest finally lifted a little.

Upon returning home, she was met by Clara, who was running out with red-rimmed eyes.

She shoved Thea aside violently. "Out of my way."

Thea's back slammed against the edge of a table. Luckily, Leonard caught her quickly.

His face darkened as he reached out to block Clara's path. "Apologize."

Clara stared in disbelief. "Who does she think she is? Why should I apologize to her? Leonard, don't go too far."

Leonard lifted Thea's shirt from the back to reveal a terrible bruise. His expression turned even colder as he threatened, "Don't push me to do worse."

Clara trembled, and tears slid down her cheeks. She looked just like a scared little rabbit.

Thea had always hoped someone in this family would stand behind her and back her up.

But now that the moment had come, it felt so ridiculous.

Could Leonard really do anything to Clara when he smelled exactly like her body wash?

Thea was exhausted. There was no point in staying with someone who didn't truly care about her.

She pulled away from Leonard's support. "I'm fine. Grandma's hosting a dinner tonight. I'm going to change."

Leonard's eyes flickered with surprise. "You're not going to make her apologize?"

Before, when he stood up for Thea in front of Clara, there was light in Thea's eyes. But now, there was nothing.

Leonard felt something strange stirring in his heart. He quickly asked, "Can I come with you tonight?"

Surprised, Thea glanced at him. But when she saw the hopeful look in his eyes, she understood at once.

"Come if you want to."

Leonard didn't like big crowds. But if he skipped the dinner, he'd have to separate from Clara. For him, that would be torture.

Thankfully, in just half a month, Thea would marry into the Larkin family.

Once she was out of the way, Leonard could cling to Clara as much as he wanted.

That night, the car pulled up to the Storme residence.

It was Leonard's first time attending such a formal event as a "poor" man, but Thea didn't wait for him.

A flash of displeasure crossed his face, but he forced a polite smile and followed her.

People couldn't help but glance with envy.

"Seriously. Thea may not be much, but she sure knows how to pick a man. He's got looks and style."

"Right? And since he's a live-in son-in-law, Thea won't get pushed around after marriage."

Thea didn't react.

But Clara was furious. She threw herself into her grandmother Penelope Floyd's arms, acting like a spoiled child seeking comfort.

Penelope held her close, comforting her. "Oh, my poor Clara. Marrying into the Larkin family will be a nightmare. It's all because someone didn't know her place and stole your man. If you had just gotten engaged earlier, you wouldn't have to be the one marrying into the Larkin family."

A cold smile tugged at Thea's lips.

It seemed like everyone in the Storme family thought it didn't matter if she married into the Larkin family.

If that family was a living hell for Clara, did they truly believe it would be heaven for Thea?

That evening, Penelope removed the emerald bracelet from her left wrist and handed it to Clara in front of everyone.

"This is a family heirloom of the Storme family, passed down to only one person each generation. Clara, it's yours now."